Journal Entries from South Africa - Feb. 19, 2009 - a blue bug

I saw a very interesting bug the other day.  The body was cobalt blue and the legs were gold.  It also had wings and flew.  It was beautiful!

Yesterday I was reading in 2 Ch about Ahaziah's mother.  The scripture says in vs. 3

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.

This makes me think again of a mother's influence.

Later his mother Athaliah at his death had all the royal offspring killed and she took over.

Joash - was hidden for 6 years.  Then when he was 7 Jehoiada the priest took all the Levites and they called Joash King.  He was only 7.

Jehoiada was Joash's counselor

CH 24: 2

Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

Who had the true incluence here?  Who was Joash following?  He must have respected Jehoiada.

24: 12  The king and Jehoiada,  vs 14 they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, vs 15 Jehoiada dies when he is 130 years old is buried.

vs 17  but after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king and the king listened to them.

vs 18.  they abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers and served the Asherim and the idols, so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt.

vs 20  Zecheriah the son of Jehoiada the priest asked... Why?  your forsaken
vs 21  they conspire and kill him
vs 22 thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which is father Jehoiada had shown him, but he murdered his son.  And as he died he said may the Lord see and avenge.

Council - advice, opinion
Ex 18: 19
Judg 19: 30
Job 12: 13
Ps. 1:1  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
Prov 19:20  Listen to counsel and accept discipline that you may be wise the rest of your days.
Eph 1: 11
Deut 13: 5 counsel advise
2 Sam 17:11
1 King 12:6 King Rehoboam
Ps. 32: 8
Counselor - adviser
Exra 7:15
Job 12: 17
Prov 11: 14
Is 9: 6
Rom 11: 34

Influence
Women to man
man to women
Father to children
Mother to children
siblings to each other

Thoughts - When are you influenced?
What influences you?
Whom influences you?
Why do you allow it or them to influence you?
How do you influence others?

Journal Entries from South Africa - Feb. 2, 5:30am, 2009

Training starts this morning.
Yesterday was the kick off day!
I am looking forward to getting this started!
I have found out that our first outreach will be in March after this Personal Development period.  During this our focus is to examine ourselves and for us to "release" some vipers.  We will grow during this time a great deal I feel, but at the same time.  I'm not so sure how much I want to reveal to another group of people.  Getting the party started I guess.

Journal Entries from South Africa - no date - a poem of sorts

I lift my eyes to Heaven to see Heaven's light
dreaming of the day
I have you in my sight
I know I could have given, you more
I continue to hold back -
I want to give you more, help me Lord
To give you what you want more and more of me.
Help me let go of my plans and desires
Help me let go everyday
Help me to grow and know be open and say
Your love is sufficient
Your love is enough
Your love is all I desire. 

Journal Entries from South Africa - no date

Ideas for outreach

Wash women's feet, paint toenails and fingers
Sit and talk
Help clean, or fix things around their homes
Act out the Storybook Bible
Need to find out more about these people!

Journal Entries from South Africa - Feb. 18, 2009

Third week of classes we are now on the personal development time.  I also have some things I've been reading during devotions that I want to share in here so it doesn't get lost.

Nations to pray for daily:  Brazil, Gibraltar, Namibia, and Fiji

Luke Ch 22: 31 - 34 and 61-62
How did Peter feel?
How hurt was he when Jesus said - even today you will reject me.
What does it mean - Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat?
What pit did Peter go to when Jesus looked at him after he denied him the third time
How did Peter recover? vs 62 he wept, what else?
When do we hear of Peter again?
How did each apostle die?
How do we Deny Christ?
To die is gain - Do I believe this?
What is Showbread?

John 13: 21-30
The one who would bretray
What were they all thinking?
Why didn't they ask more questions?
Did everyone hear?
Peter asked
John must  be the one that leaned back against him?

2 Ch 20 Jehoshophat's prayer and life honoring God why didn't he remove the high places?  Who did?

2 Ch 21: 20 With no one's regret How is that for a way to be known?

2 Ch 22... for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly
A mother's influence  - How do I be a positive Godly influence on my children?

Matt 16: 4... except the sign of Jonah what kind of sign is that?

Who is Jehoiada 2 Ch 23

Peter
John 1: 35 -42
Andrew - Peter's brother older or younger?
John 13: 6-11 (Jesus washes his feet)
13: 21-30
The one who would betray
Matt 26: 25
John 13: 38
Mark 14: 30
Matt 16: 16-19
16: 21-23 How did Peter feel being called Satan?
17: 1 - 13
17: 24-27
25: 35 - 40
25: 41-46